Modular construction for solar heat collector

Abstract

An open top housing member, the top being arranged to be closed by a solar radiation transparent covering, is arranged to be mounted in side by side and end to end relationship with similar members to provide a large area solar heat absorber unit, and each housing member includes passageways for the flow of fluids, such as air, and means for joining the members at the passageways, thereby providing an inlet fluid manifold at one edge of the combined housings and an outlet fluid manifold at the opposite edge of the housings providing the transfer of heat absorbed by the unit to the transfer fluid. Generally, the housing members are made of lightweight sheet metal and may be secured together either by crimping edges and flanges of adjoining members or lateral mechanical pressure at the passageways, and each is provided with an adjustable gate member for varying the flow pattern of the fluid through each individual member.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. Modular construction for solar heat collectors using air transfer medium and arranged for connection to similar units comprising: a. a generally rectangular modular housing member including thin side walls and a bottom arranged to be connected with removable end walls or end to end with adjacent similar members and having an open top including means for securing cover means thereon, said housing member being arranged with a cool air integral, internal manifold section across one end within said side walls and a heated air integral, internal manifold section across the opposite end and within said side walls and a heat absorber internal section between the two with an air passage permitting exchange of heat to air passing through said heat absorber internal section, each said internal manifold having a cross-sectional dimension greater than said air passage through said heat absorber passage whereby the flow of air through said manifold is at a rate of flow less than the rate through absorber;   b. means for forming an opening in at least one side wall in said cool air manifold section arranged to mate with a similar opening in an adjacent member, and means for forming an opening in at least one side wall in said heated air manifold section arranged to mate with a similar opening in an adjacent member;   c. means for sealing together adjacent units at mated cool air openings forming an internal manifold for both members; and   d. means for sealing together adjacent units, at mated heated air openings forming an internal manifold for both members.   
     
     
       2. Modular construction according to claim 1, wherein the edges of said openings in adjacent members are crimped together in a sealing relation forming means for sealing adjacent members to said cool air and said heated air openings. 
     
     
       3. Modular construction according to claim 1, wherein cover holding means is attached to the top edge of said side walls for sealing a transparent cover thereon. 
     
     
       4. Modular construction according to claim 1, wherein inlet and outlet means are formed in a bottom wall of said cooled and heated air manifold section of at least one of an array of such members joined to similar members. 
     
     
       5. Modular construction according to claim 1, wherein inlet means is formed in a bottom wall of said cool air manifold section of at least one of an array of such members joined to similar members. 
     
     
       6. Modular construction according to claim 1, wherein outlet means is formed in a bottom wall of said heated air manifold section of at least one of an array of such members joined to similar members. 
     
     
       7. Modular construction according to claim 1, wherein the cool air opening in said side wall of said housing is adjustable. 
     
     
       8. Modular construction according to claim 1, wherein said housing is thin sheet metal. 
     
     
       9. Modular construction according to claim 1, wherein said cover includes an outer and one or more inner glazings. 
     
     
       10. Modular construction according to claim 1, wherein said central heat absorber section includes a heat absorption member arranged for passage of air over the top thereof and said heat absorption member is mounted on an insulated member. 
     
     
       11. Modular construction according to claim 1, wherein said central heat absorber section includes a heat absorption member arranged for passage of air thereunder. 
     
     
       12. Modular construction according to claim 1, wherein said central heat absorber section includes a heat absorption member arranged for passage of air over and under said heat absorption member. 
     
     
       13. Modular construction according to claim 1, wherein said housing members are arranged for simultaneous side by side connection to similar members and for end to end connection to similar members.